Wearable wallet for motorcyclists

ABSTRACT

A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket, an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base for removably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portion of the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outer pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a wearable wallet formotorcyclist, and more particularly to wallet configured to be worn onthe arm of motorcyclists when riding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When riding, motorcyclists often wear thick protective clothing, such asheavy leather or nylon/Kevlar jackets, pants and gloves. While suchclothing is beneficial for the motorcyclists' safety, the clothing iscumbersome. This is especially problematic when the motorcyclistencounters a bridge toll, parking meter, fast food restaurants, and thelike, where easy access to cash and other items in the motorcyclist'swallet is important. The items needed for easy access include cash,driver's license, pink slip, proof of insurance, credit cards, keys, andthe like. Retrieving these items from the motorcyclist's wallet orpockets is difficult when wearing protective clothing.

Presently, motorcyclists typically store their money and other importantready-access items inside of riding gloves, pockets in pants and innerand outer pockets of jackets. However, it is difficult to retrieve moneyand these other items when on the go.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a wallet configured tobe worn on the arm of a motorcyclist comprising a base, an inner pocket,an outer pocket, and at least one strap member connected to the base forremovably and adjustably securing the wallet while being worn. A portionof the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to the outwardlyfacing side of the base and a portion of the edges of the inner pocketare fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the base. A portionof the edges of the outer pocket are removably fastened to the outwardlyfacing side of the inner pocket and a portion of the edges of the outerpocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the innerpocket.

Additionally, the inner and outer pockets are removably fastened with ahook and loop fastener mechanism. In an alternate embodiment, zippersare used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap member includestwo elongated members and a mechanism for removably fastening the distalends of the elongated members to each other. The proximal ends of theelongated members are connected to the base. The proximal ends may beconnected by a hook and loop mechanism. Additionally, elastic portionsmay be included in the elongated members to enhance the fit around thearm. In alternate embodiments, the distal ends may be connected by abuckle, a clip, or ringlets.

The present invention has other objects and advantages which are setforth in the description of the Detailed Description of the Invention.The features and advantages described in the specification, however, arenot all inclusive, and particularly, many additional features andadvantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in viewof the drawings and specification herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the wearable wallet of the preferredembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the wearable wallet ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of FIG. 1configured to be worn on the left arm.

FIG. 3 b is a depiction of a motorcyclist wearing the wallet of FIG. 1configured to be worn on the right arm.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the wearablewallet.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearablewallet.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of another alternate embodiment of the wearablewallet.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of thewearable wallet.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the pocket of thewearable wallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts a wallet 10 configured to be worn on the arm ofmotorcyclists when riding. Wallet 10 facilitates easy retrieval of moneyand other items by the motorcyclist on demand when on the go. Thiseliminates the need for a traditional wallet, pouch or purse to carrymoney and additional items such as driver's license, pink slip, proof ofinsurance, and the like.

Wallet 10 includes inner pocket 12, outer pocket 14, inner pocket tab16, outer pocket tab 18, base 20, top left strap 22, bottom left strap24, top right strap 26, and bottom right strap 28. A hook and loopfastener mechanism, such as Velcro® made by Velcro USA Inc., is used toremovably and adjustably secure straps 22, 24, 26, 28 around the arm ofthe motorcyclist. Top left strap 22 includes an elastic portion 30 andloop portion 32. Bottom left strap 24 includes an elastic portion 34 andloop portion 36. Top right strap 26 includes an elastic portion 38 andloop portion 40. Bottom right strap 28 includes an elastic portion 42and loop portion 44.

Base 20 may be constructed of vinyl, leather, nylon, or any othersuitable durable, water proof or resistant material. Preferably, thematerial of inner pocket 12 and out pocket 14 matches the material ofbase 20.

Inner pocket 12 is removably fastened to base 20 by hook and loopfastener strips 46 (matching loop strips 46 a and hook strips 46 b).Loop strips 46 a are fixed to the outward surface of base 20 and hookstrips 46 b are fixed to the inward surface of inner pocket 12. Two ofthe four edges (fixed edges 48) of inner pocket 12 are permanentlyfastened to base 20, and the other two edges (removable edges 50) areremovably fastened by inner fastener strips 46.

Outer pocket 14, which is smaller in height and width than inner pocket12, is attached in like fashion to base 20 but over inner pocket 12. Twoof the four edges (fixed edges 52) of outer pocket 14 are permanentlyfastened to base 20 and inner pocket 12. The other two edges (removableedges 54) are removably fastened by outer fastener strips 56 (loopstrips 56 a and hook strips 56 b). Loop strips 56 a are fixed to theoutward surface of inner pocket 12 and hook strips 56 b are fixed to theinward surface of outer pocket 14. Fixed edges 52 of outer pocket 14 arealigned with fixed edges 48 of inner pocket 12. Due to the difference insize between inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14, removable edges 54 areoffset from inner edges 50 of inner pocket 12.

Inner pocket 12 and outer pocket 14 are opened by pulling on inner tab16 and outer tab 18, respectively. Inner tab 16 and outer tab 18, when ahook and loop fastener is used for removably fastening inner pocket 12and outer pocket 14, assist in the opening and closing of inner pocket12 and outer pocket 14. To facilitate grasping by the motorcyclist,inner tab 16 is on the corner of inner pocket 12 closest to the body ofthe motorcyclist and parallel with the arm. Outer tab 18 is also closestto the body but at a 45 degree angle to the arm pointing towards thebody. This tab configuration is for motorcyclists that desire to wearwallet 10 on the left arm as depicted in FIG. 3 a. These are most likelyright handed motorcyclists as placement of wallet 10 on the left armallows wallet 10 to be manipulated with the favored, right hand.

As depicted in FIG. 3 b, a left handed configuration for wear on theright arm reverses (from left to right and visa versa) the location oftabs 16 and 18, Velcro strips 46 and 56, fixed edges 48 and 52, andremovable edges 50 and 54. This configuration allows a left handedmotorcyclist easy access to wallet 10 on the right arm.

Wallet 10 is removably fastened to the motorcyclist's arm by wrappingstraps 22, 24, 26, 28 around the arm. Loop portion 32 fastens to hookportion 40 thereby fastening top left strap 22 to top right strap 26.Loop portion 36 fastens to hook portion 44 thereby fastening bottom leftstrap 24 to bottom right strap 28. Loop portions 32, 36 and hookportions 40, 44 are sufficiently large to allow straps 22, 24, 26, 28 toadjust to the size of the arm of the motorcyclist. Elastic portions 30,34, 38, 42 also allow straps 22, 24, 26, 28 to adjust to the width thearm. This accommodates for variances in arm size and bulkiness of themotorcyclist's jacket.

In addition to the preferred embodiment, alternate embodiments of thepresent invention are possible. Exemplary alternate embodiments aredescribed below.

In addition to the hook and loop fastener mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and2, other removable fastening and adjustment mechanisms may be used asdepicted in FIGS. 4-6. As shown in FIG. 4, snap clips 132/140 and136/144 are used to removably fasten straps 122, 124, 126, 128. Ratherthan an elastic portion, straps 122 and 124 include non-elastic portions130 and 134 that slide though the adjustment ring of male snap clipportions 132 and 136.

As shown in FIG. 5, belt buckles with holed strap portions 232, 236 andbuckle portions 240, 244 are used to removably fasten straps 222, 224,226, 228. Rather than an elastic portion, the entirety of straps 222,224, 226, 228 are non-elastic. As shown in FIG. 6, ringlets 340, 344 areused to removably fasten straps 322, 324, 326, 328. Rather than anelastic portion, the entirety of straps 322, 324, 326, 328 arenon-elastic. While more secure than the preferred embodiment, thealternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4-6 are more difficult for themotorcyclist to fasten, especially when wearing gloves.

In addition to alternate fastening mechanisms for the straps, there arealternate fastening mechanisms and configurations for inner pocket 12and outer pocket 14. While the preferred embodiment utilizes a hook andloop fastener mechanism, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, zippers mayalso be used to removably fasten the pockets to base 20.

As shown in FIG. 7, in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, astraight zipper 156 is used to removably fasten inner pocket 12 to base20. Outer pocket 14 is removably fastened in the same manner as shown inFIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, in lieu of a hook and loop fastener mechanism, acurved zipper 256 is used to removably fasten inner pocket 12 to base20. Outer pocket 14 again is removably fastened in the same manner asshown in FIG. 1.

Both alternative zipper embodiments sacrifice convenience for security.Zippers 156, 256 are more secure than hook and loop strips 156 but aremore difficult for the motorcyclist to open and close when wearinggloves.

Other alterations to the pockets may include the addition of an elasticportion or the use of an elastic material to accommodate oversized itemssuch as a cellular phone. The elastic material will allow the pocket tostretch to accommodate the oversized item. Also, convenienceattachments, such as a loops or slots, may be added to base 20, innerpocket 12, outer pocket 14, or straps 22, 24, 26, 28, to hold pens,pencils, and the like.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of a motorcyclist,comprising: a base member having an inwardly facing side and anoutwardly facing side; a first closeable cover member having edges, aninwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side; means for removablyfastening the inwardly facing side of the first closeable cover memberalong a first portion of the edges of the first closeable cover memberto the outwardly facing side of the base member; means for fixablyfastening the inwardly facing side of the first closeable cover memberalong a second portion of the edges of the first closeable cover memberto the outwardly facing side of the base member; and at least one strapmember connected to the base member for removably and adjustablysecuring the wallet while being worn.
 2. The wallet recited in claim 1,further comprising: a second closeable cover member having edges, aninwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side; means for removablyfastening the inwardly facing side of the second closeable cover memberalong a first portion of the edges of the second closeable cover memberto the outwardly facing side of the first closeable cover member; andmeans for fixably fastening the inwardly facing side of the secondcloseable cover member along a second portion of the edges of the secondcloseable cover member to the outwardly facing side of the firstcloseable cover member.
 3. The wallet recited in claim 2, wherein thesecond closeable member is smaller in size than the first closeablemember.
 4. The wallet recited in claim 1, wherein the means forremovably fastening the first closeable cover member is a hook and loopfastener mechanism.
 5. The wallet recited in claim 4, furthercomprising: a pullable member connected at one end to the first portionof the edges of the first closeable cover member.
 6. The wallet recitedin claim 2, wherein the means for removably fastening the secondcloseable cover member is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.
 7. Thewallet recited in claim 6, further comprising: a pullable memberconnected at one end to the first portion of the edges of the secondcloseable cover member.
 8. The wallet recited in claim 1, wherein themeans for removably fastening the first closeable cover member is azipper.
 9. The wallet recited in claim 1, further comprising: at leastone elastic portion in the at least one strap member.
 10. The walletrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least one strap member is furthercomprising: a first elongated member having distal and proximal ends; asecond elongated member having distal and proximal ends; and means forremovably fastening the distal end of the first elongated member to thedistal end of the second elongated member; wherein the proximal ends ofthe first elongated member and the second elongated member are connectedto the base member.
 11. The wallet recited in claim 10, wherein themeans for removably fastening the distal ends is a hook and loopfastener mechanism.
 12. A wallet configured to be worn on the arm of amotorcyclist, comprising: a base member having an inwardly facing sideand an outwardly facing side; an inner pocket having edges, an inwardlyfacing side and an outwardly facing side; an outer pocket having edges;and at least one strap member connected to the base member for removablyand adjustably securing the wallet while being worn, wherein a firstportion of the edges of the inner pocket are removably fastened to theoutwardly facing side of the base member and a second portion of theedges of the inner pocket are fixably fastened to the outwardly facingside of the base member; wherein a first portion of the edges of theouter pocket are removably fastened to the outwardly facing side of theinner pocket and a second portion of the edges of the outer pocket arefixably fastened to the outwardly facing side of the inner pocket. 13.The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the outer pocket is smaller insize than the inner pocket.
 14. The wallet recited in claim 12, whereinthe first portion of the edges of the inner pocket are removeablyfastened by a hook and loop fastener mechanism.
 15. The wallet recitedin claim 14, further comprising: a pullable member connected at one endto the first portion of the edges of the inner pocket.
 16. The walletrecited in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the edges of the outerpocket are removeably fastened by a hook and loop fastener mechanism.17. The wallet recited in claim 16, further comprising: a pullablemember connected at one end to the first portion of the edges of theouter pocket.
 18. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the firstportion of the edges of the inner pocket are removeably fastened by azipper.
 19. The wallet recited in claim 12, wherein the at least onestrap member is comprising: a first elongated member having distal andproximal ends; a second elongated member having distal and proximalends; and means for removably fastening the distal end of the firstelongated member to the distal end of the second elongated member;wherein the proximal ends of the first elongated member and the secondelongated member are connected to the base member.
 20. The walletrecited in claim 19, wherein the means for removably fastening thedistal ends is a hook and loop fastener mechanism.